Household Finance and Consumption Survey 2023: Results from Slovakia

This report presents findings from the 2023 wave of the Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) in Slovakia. Median household net wealth increased by about 30% in nominal terms between 2021 and 2023. However, these gains were largely offset by inflation, resulting in real net wealth increasing by only 4%. The inflationary period and the cooling of asset markets between the two waves benefited homeowners and pensioners in particular, while renters experienced little to no improvement – and in some cases a decline – in their real wealth. Participation in financial markets continued to expand; however, deposits remain the dominant component of household portfolios. Despite rising wealth, household liquidity did not improve. About a quarter of households remains hand-to-mouth, suggesting that higher net worth does not automatically translate into stronger liquidity buffers. Although household indebtedness continued to grow, key debt burden indicators remained stable. The report also reviews developments in financial literacy, economic expectations, and attitudes toward fairness and redistribution.